Shockproof socket



y 1956 J. c. PETERS 2,747,048

SHOCKPROOF SOCKET Filed June 2, 1953 W 30 0/20 a J fif 21 12322 a! 37 Ar/N 0.4/70 J 23 2 Z F 29 i?!) 2 Z I I 3.3 29 1' 17/1 9 lo 17 10 9 INVENTOR.

John LZPeiers. 8* 5m F64;

ATTD RN EYS This invention relates to an electrical accessory, and more particularly to a socket for light bulbs and the like.

The object of the invention is to provide a socket which is constructed so that when a bulb is not in the socket, the circuit therein will be broken so that there will be no danger of a person accidentally getting an electric shock.

Another object of the invention is to provide a socket which has means for preventing short-circuiting of the terminals when the socket is empty, the socket acting as a safety against accidental short-circuiting through the insertion of foreign objects in the receptacle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a socket which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the casing and showing the socket therein.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the socket.

Figure 3 is a view taken at right angles to the view shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the socket.

Figure 5 is a view showing the opposite side from that shown in Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of the socket.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 7--7 of Figure 3 and taken on an enlarged scale.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on the line S-8 of Figure 2.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 2.

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken on the line 10-10 of Figure 2.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates the socket and the socket 10 includes a metal screw shell 11 which is adapted to threadedly receive the base of the light bulb, fuse, or other fixture. Connected to the screw shell 11 is a U-shaped bracket 12 which includes a web 14 and a pair of spaced parallel legs 15 and 16. A partition 17 of insulating material is arranged within the bracket 12, and the partition 17 is provided with a central opening 18 for slidably receiving therein a tapered plunger or button 19, Figure 7.

interposed between an insulated bar 21 and the partition 17 is a pair of spring contacts 22 and 24. The bar 21 may be connected to the web 14 by a rivet 2t), and the contact 22 may be connected to the partition 17 by a screw 23. The other contact 24 may be connected to the partition 17 by a screw 25. The pair of contacts 22 and 24 are adapted to be connected to a suitable source of electrical energy by means of wires or cords 26 and 27 which are arranged in engagement with the screws 23 and 25.

An insulated strip 28 is connected to the inner surface Patented May 22, 1956 of the leg 16 by a rivet 29, and a rivet 30 connects a Spring finger 31 to the insulated strip 28. The inner portion of the spring finger 31 is adapted to be moved into and out of electrical contact with the member 22, and the outer portion of the finger 31 abuts an end of the movable plunger 19. The outer portion of the linger 31 is adapted to be engaged by the usual button on the end of the light bulb base so as to complete the circuit. A spring finger 32 is connected to the other leg 15 by a rivet 33, and the inner portion of the spring finger 32 is mounted for movement into and out of electrical engagement with the contact 24. The inner ends of said spring fingers engage the inner end of button 19, and the distance from spring fingers 31 and 32 to the portions of spring contacts 22 and 24 in engagement with insulating bar 21 is greater than the distance through which the button 19 may move in the opening 18.

In Figure 1 there is shown a casing 35 for surrounding the socket 10, and the casing 35 includes an outer housing 36 and an inner insulated lining 37.

The diameter of the partition 17 is of greater diameter than that of the metal screw shell 11. The circumference of the partition 17 is relieved or cutaway at two places degrees apart and the depth and width of this relief shall be determined by the width and thickness of stock used to fabricate the parallel legs 15 and 16. Also, upon assembly the legs 15 and 16 are free to move independently of the partition 17 within the above-mentioned reliefs. Upon final assembly the partition 17 is positioned so as to rest upon the shoulder 38 within the casing 35.

In use, when a bulb or other appliance is screwed into the shell 11, the inner end of the bulb or other appliance contacts or engages the outer end of the spring finger 31 and forces the tapered button 19 partially through the opening 18. The button 19 has its outer end of a greater diameter than the diameter of the opening 18 so that the button 19 can not move all the way through the opening 18. The inward movement of the tapered button 19 causes the inner portions of the spring fingers 31 and 32 to be moved towards the contacts 22 and 24. When the button 19 reaches the limit of its movement through the opening 18, further screwing in of the bulb or other appliance causes the partition 17 and bar 21 to move toward one another, thereby compressing the spring contacts 22 and 24 until the inner portions of fingers 31 and 32 engage the contacts 22 and 24 respectively. When the fingers 31 and 32 engage the contacts 22 and 24, the electrical circuit leading to the light bulb, fuse, or other accessory will be completed so that the bulb will be energized. As soon as the bulb is unscrewed or removed from the shell 11, the inherent resiliency of the contacts 22 and 24 and the inherent resiliency of the spring fingers 31 and 32 will cause the parts to return to the position shown in Figure 7 so that a person will not be accidently shocked. Thus it is virtually impossible for a person to accidentally get an electric shock by placing his finger or other electical conductor into the socket, because two pair of springs 31, 32, and 22, 24 must be stressed before the circuit can be completed.

I claim:

In a socket, a metal screw shell, a U-shaped bracket including a pair of spaced parallel legs secured to said shell, a web extending between said pair of legs, a partition slidably arranged within said bracket and provided with a central opening, a tapered button slidably mounted in said opening, an insulated strip arranged contiguous to the inner surface of one or" said legs and secured thereto, an insulated bar arranged contiguous to the inner surface of said web and secured thereto, a pair of spring contacts interposed between said bar and partition and adapted to be connected to a source of electrical energy,

said contacts having one end portion secured to said partition and another end portion engaging said insulated bar, a first spring finger connected to one of said legs, a second spring finger connected to said insulated strip, the inner ends of said spring fingers being mounted for movement into and out of engagement with said contacts, said first and second spring fingers being arranged in opposed relation with respect to each other, the inner ends of said spring fingers engaging the inner end of said button, said second spring finger having an outer portion overlying the outer end of said button, the distance from the spring fingers to said contacts being greater than the travel 4 permitted of the button through the central opening in the partition.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,320,196 Benjamin Oct. 28, 1919 2,158,862 Phelps May 16, 1939 2,158,884 Mueller May 16, 1939 10 2,306,741 Miller Dec. 29, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS 374,145 Italy Aug. 16, 1939 

